About Us

Deb Strahan received her certificates for Spiritual Direction and Supervision at the C. John Weborg Center for Spiritual Direction at North Park Theological Seminary, and a certificate in the foundations of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises at Loyola. Since 2020, Deb has participated in the Antiracism Discipleship Pathway offered for pastors and spiritual directors in the ECC, and makes space in spiritual direction for the exploration of bias and pain stemming from racism. She has been on the leadership team of the Central Conference Spiritual Directors Network since 2016. Her interests include the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius, creativity and healing, grief and loss, support for those impacted by the mental illness of a friend or family member, and those experiencing life threatening illness. Creative expression linked with spirituality has always been important to Deb and she has led numerous groups in art journaling, Visio divina, and making icons. She is an experienced leader in group spiritual direction. Deb will be offering workshops as well as providing individual and group spiritual direction, and is available for supervision for spiritual directors. She has been married for 47 years and has two children and two grandchildren.

Genesis Winter is a certified Spiritual Director and Supervisor and has been trained in giving the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius through internships with the Jesuits at Loyola University Chicago. Through learning about Spiritual Direction from some of the longest practitioners of the art, she finds ways of bringing old and new perspectives on the spiritual life together in Direction. Previously she worked as a director of Cornerstone Festival. Her specializations include adult children of missionaries and pastors, people in full-time ministry, and those who feel burned out in the church. She is married and has two grown sons.

For Karl Sullivan, Spiritual Direction can be an amazing time of transparency, of honestly expressing where in life one is with God and with others. To have someone hear you and help you to pay attention to what you are sensing about God’s movements in your life is a gift, which can lead to discernment and intimacy with God. Karl has spent a majority of the last 35 years engaging in one on one or group discipleship, and leading small groups and listening groups. He received his Certification in Spiritual Direction through an internship with the Jesuits of Loyola University and is currently in an Advanced Internship at Loyola in “Leading the Ignatian Exercises”.

In addition, Karl has served as art director and curator for his church for 20 years. Karl views art as an opportunity for others to see characteristics of God they have not seen before. He enjoys using his art for Visio Divina and contemplative prayer.

Rick Mills has been certified as a Spiritual Director through an internship with the Jesuits at Loyola University of Chicago, has recently finished an advanced internship there, and is a member of the ECC Central Conference Spiritual Director’s network. He has participated in and co-led the 19th annotation of the Ignatian spiritual exercises several times and enjoys the Book of Common Prayer’s daily office as a devotion. So far, his specialization is busy people and those looking for God in daily life. He is married, has 4 kids and 6 grandkids, loves black and white photography and books.